Why don't you check out the Gardenweb seed exchange? You will need some seeds to trade with. You can buy some uncommon ones at the store and offer them. If you tell them you're a newbie you will usually get alot of extra seeds. Also check out wintersown.org. They give away free seeds for a SASE. Also The Garden Hoard website will send you 6 packs of seeds per month for just a SASE. I get a lot of satifaction from growing from seeds. Sometimes you can find a landscaper trimming a bush you like and ask for a few branches and start some cuttings.

Oh thanks Zackey! You may have created a monster. I do plan to try winter sowing and I'm excited about it.

Hello. Last weekend, The Denver Post ran an article I wrote about saving money in the garden. Even though the article is written for Colorado readers, you may find some of the tips useful.

Here is a link that might be useful: 8 ways to cut waste, save money in the garden

You can propagate the Hydrangea and rose by using a rock or brick to hold a branch against the soil, if there are any that will bend so. Should be rooted and ready to separate from the mama and plant in spring.

This is also a great time to start some lasagna beds so they're ready to plant in next spring. So much easier than digging up grass.

Start a compost pile.

Some of your annuals might actually be tender perennials. Any interest in saving some of them? Sometimes possible.

Thanks everybody.
Purpleinopp, I am hoping to save some of my annuals. I know that I have to dig the elephant ears, cannas, and dahlias; no problem. But I'm hoping so save the petunias, geraniums and hope against hope the Superbelle cherry star by Proven Winners. I don't know that I'll be able to recognize seeds on that one. I'm just studying up on winter sowing, so I'll be giving that a try. I'm game for any new learned experience. I made some progress this season and I'm totally jazzed by looking out my window and seeing blooming plants. Oh! I do have one leaning stem on my hydrangea (Midnight salsa) so I'm going to try the brick method for rooting.
Here is a pic of one of my cannas. It doesn't take much to get me happy :)

Awesome Canna! What a beautiful, sunny, cheerful yellow! I agree about seeing flowers out the window. When I started gardening at this house, that was my first priority, view out the kitchen sink window. Still in progress but has been a great improvement when washing dishes!

The annuals you've asked about aren't ones I've tried, so I don't have info for them but I'm sure somebody will soon. Good luck!

save your seeds from your perennials and your annuals. Most annuals will produce seeds!